Hydrogen Sulfide Metabolite,Sodium Thiosulfate: Clinical Applications and Underlying Molecular Mechanisms

Thiosulfate in the form of sodium thiosulfate (STS) is a major oxidation product of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), an endogenous signaling molecule and the third member of the gasotransmitter family. STS is currently used in the clinical treatment of acute cyanide poisoning, cisplatin toxicities in cancer therapy, and calciphylaxis in dialysis patients. Burgeoning evidence show that STS has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential therapeutic candidate molecule that can target multiple molecular pathways in various diseases and drug-induced toxicities. This review discusses the biochemical and molecular pathways in the generation of STS from H₂S, its clinical usefulness, and potential clinical applications, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying these clinical applications and a future perspective in kidney transplantation.     

Review of Boundaries in psychotherapy: Ethical and clinical explorations.

Reviews the book, Boundaries in psychotherapy: Ethical and clinical explorations by Ofer Zur (see record 2007-00030-000). In this book, Dr. Zur outlines a number of the salient boundary issues in psychotherapy. As such, this book provides a valuable resource for practising mental health professionals regardless of theoretical orientation. Specifically, this book aims to shed light on the definition and use of psychotherapeutic boundaries by providing a context-based and comprehensive discussion of diverse boundary issues. The book is divided into four parts, and each of the first three parts is made up of four chapters. Part 1, "Boundaries in Context," addresses an assortment of topics concerning boundaries in psychotherapy. Part 2 focuses on issues that affect the therapeutic frame. Part 3 addresses boundary issues that exist within the therapeutic encounter. In Part 4, appropriately titled "Final Thoughts," the author provides a cogent epilogue that highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of professional boundaries and stresses the importance of conducting risk- benefit analyses and other diligent risk management studies when contemplating crossing boundaries in psychotherapy. With regard to the author's stated objectives for writing this book, he accomplishes his goal of shedding light on the definition and use of psychotherapeutic boundaries. Overall, the author's simple and clear writing style makes this an extremely easy book to read. Other strengths include the succinct definition of terms and inclusion of practical tips and suggestions to help the reader navigate the complexities that entrench boundary issues in psychotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluating the Effects of Subnormothermic Perfusion with AP39 in a Novel Blood-Free Model of Ex Vivo Kidney Preservation and Reperfusion

The use of blood for normothermic and subnormothermic kidney preservation hinders the translation of these approaches and promising therapeutics. This study evaluates whether adding hydrogen sulfide donor AP39 to Hemopure, a blood substitute, during subnormothermic perfusion improves kidney outcomes. After 30 min of renal pedicle clamping, porcine kidneys were treated to 4 h of static cold storage (SCS-4 °C) or subnormothermic perfusion at 21 °C with Hemopure (H-21 °C), Hemopure + 200 nM AP39 (H200nM-21 °C) or Hemopure + 1 µM AP39 (H1µM-21 °C). Then, kidneys were reperfused with Hemopure at 37 °C for 4 h with metabolic support. Perfusate composition, tissue oxygenation, urinalysis and histopathology were analyzed. During preservation, the H200nM-21 °C group exhibited significantly higher urine output than the other groups and significantly higher tissue oxygenation than the H1µM-21 °C group at 1 h and 2h. During reperfusion, the H200nM-21 °C group exhibited significantly higher urine output and lower urine protein than the other groups. Additionally, the H200nM-21 °C group exhibited higher perfusate pO₂ levels than the other groups and significantly lower apoptotic injury than the H-21 °C and the H1µM-21 °C groups. Thus, subnormothermic perfusion at 21 °C with Hemopure + 200 nM AP39 improves renal outcomes. Additionally, our novel blood-free model of ex vivo kidney preservation and reperfusion could be useful for studying other therapeutics.